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Thursday, January 7, 2021

Covid testing centre moves from Llan to Denbigh


* Kerry Williams of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Cllr Mark Young. 

A Covid-19 testing centre opened in Denbigh on Wednesday.

The centre is based in the car park at the council offices at Caledfryn and will operate between 9.30am and 3.30pm with no appointments necessary, but the walk in/drive-through session is open to those with symptoms that need a test.

The testing centre is being operated in partnership between Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Denbighshire County Council.

It replaces the testing site at Market Street Car Park, Llangollen, which closed on January 3.

Cllr Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “Testing centres are extremely important facilities in the fight against coronavirus in the county. They are so convenient and will provide some peace of mind to residents.

“The centres have worked extremely well, with many residents taking the opportunity to come and have a test. We look forward to working with our partners on the new centre in Denbigh and would encourage anyone displaying symptoms to come and take advantage of the services offered at the testing centre.”

Residents who have tested positive or have been given self-isolation advice are asked to stay at home until the end of the self-isolation period.

Police warn of scam COVID vaccine emails and texts



* One of the scam emails. 

People across Wales have been alerted to a scam relayed to the COVID-19 vaccine.  

Dyfed Powys Police Economic Crime Team reports that it has become aware that criminals have been sending texts and emails attempting to lure people to apply for the vaccine.

DC Gareth Jordan, from the Cyber Crime Unit, said: “The text is made to look like it comes from the NHS and states ‘we have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine’ and advises you to follow a link to get more information and ‘apply’.

“If you follow the link, you are taken to a convincing-looking, but fake NHS website that asks for your personal details.

* Another scam email.

“After entering your details, it then requests bank/card details to ‘check your identity’.

“But as with all scams, if you look a little closer, you will see it is not real. In this instance, note the URL is not www.nhs.uk/

“As multiple vaccines are now being approved for use in the UK, these types of fraud attempts will continue as criminals look to take advantage of the vaccine roll out.

It’s not only texts, beware of cold calls and emails regarding the vaccine as scammers are also asking people to pay for it over the phone. Remember – the vaccine is free of charge and there is no way to jump the queue by paying for a ‘priority slot’.

“If you receive one of these calls, hang up and block the number.

“If you have received an email, which you are not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk

“Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to 7726. This free-of-charge short code enables your provider to investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious.”

Advice from the police is:

Always:

Stop: Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information - it could keep you safe.


Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.


Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam and report it to the Police.


Remember – The NHS, The police, or your bank, will never ask you to withdraw money or transfer it to a different account. They will also never ask you to reveal your full banking password or PIN.

Do not click on links or attachments in unexpected or suspicious texts or emails.
Confirm requests are genuine by using a known number or email address to contact organisations directly.

Coronavirus latest from Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) is:

·    People who were previously shielding in Wales are received a letter from Health Minister Vaughan Gething setting out further advice as Wales is at alert level four lockdown.

o   People who are extremely clinically vulnerable are advised not to go to work or attend school for the time being while cases of coronavirus are very high

o   Written statement: https://gov.wales/written-statement-letter-those-who-are-clinically-extremely-vulnerable-previously-shielding-0

o   Letter: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/inline-documents/2021-01/210105%20-%20Changes%20to%20advice%20for%20the%20clinically%20extremely%20vulnerable%20in%20Wales%20from%20the%2022nd.pdf

o   Guidance: https://gov.wales/guidance-protecting-people-defined-medical-grounds-clinically-extremely-vulnerable-coronavirus

·         Updated guidance: Schools: https://gov.wales/schools-coronavirus-guidance

 

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 2,238 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 161,516 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Very sadly, there were 76 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 3,738.

o   These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

·         The Office for National Statistics has today published statistics on provisional weekly deaths, including deaths involving Covid-19, for the week ending 25 December.

o   The cumulative number of deaths involving Covid-19 occurring in Welsh residents up to 25 December was 4,732.

o   Of the deaths registered in the week ending 25 December, there were provisionally 278 deaths involving Covid-19. This was 34% of all deaths and 22 more than the previous week.

o   For the period 29 February to 25 December, there were a total of 3,900 excess deaths (15%) above the five-year average. The excess death rate in Wales is lower than in England for this period.

o   https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest

 

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

·         The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.

·         If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

·         Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus

o   Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

o   You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus once you are self-isolating. You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test

o   You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.

·         Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
 

Where to find the latest information

·         Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4

·         Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://covid19-phwstatement.nhs.wales/

·         Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws

·         Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/

·         Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/

·         The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

o   Dr Frank Atherton, Wales’ chief medical officer and Dr Andrew Goodall, chief executive of NHS Wales, held today’s press conference. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1346792394461564930

o   Slides used in today’s press conference are here: https://gov.wales/slides-and-datasets-chief-medical-officer-and-nhs-wales-chief-executives-coronavirus-briefing-6-january-2021

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Welsh Government's latest coronavirus update

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) is:

·         Childcare and play at alert level four lockdown – your questions answered: https://gov.wales/childcare-and-play-alert-level-4-frequently-asked-questions

·         Updated guidance: Taxis and private hire vehicles: https://gov.wales/taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-guidance

·         Updated guidance: Care home visiting: https://gov.wales/visits-care-homes-guidance-providers-html

·         NHS activity and capacity statistics: https://gov.wales/nhs-beds-admissions-and-hospitalisations-during-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic

 

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 2,069 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 159,278 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Very sadly, there were 17 further deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 3,662.

o   These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

·         The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.

·         If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

·         Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus

o   Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

o   You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus once you are self-isolating. You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test

o   You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.

·         Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
 

Where to find the latest information

·         Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4

·         Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://covid19-phwstatement.nhs.wales/

·         Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws

·         Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/

·         Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/

·         The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

 


French beauty with the wow factor





Peugeot 208 road test by Steve Rogers

If wow factor is what you want then feast your eyes on this French beauty.

As superminis go there is nothing to match the reigning European Car of the Year. Not that we should be surprised, the French have been churning out head turners for decades - Citroen DX, Renault 16, Peugeot 405 - I could fill a page, and the fifth generation 208 is the best in its 37 year history.

Just to clear up any confusion for those who think this model should be called 209, Peugeot decided a couple of years ago to stop at eight for every model in its line up.

The body styling is not even the best feature, it's the cabin where the real wow comes in. The futuristic switch free i-Cockpit broke cover on the 308 seven years ago and has been tweaked and honed so much so that no one comes close to matching its chic design, while the quality of materials has pushed the 208 towards the premium division.

That is where this love-in with 208 has to take a breather. The i-Cockpit is certainly fabulous to look at but has its critics and I am one. The driver's binnacle sits on top of the dashboard so it is a case of looking over rather than through the small steering wheel which has a flat top to make it easier to see the display.

It means you have two choices: sit low or high and getting it right, or rather close to right, takes too long and is even more irritating when a partner has a different preference. If ever there was a case for powered driver's seat with memory function this is it.

The original i-Cockpit design came in for a lot of stick because every function was controlled through the touchscreen which took the driver's eye away from the road for too long. That was partly resolved with stylish quick keys and the set up in the 208 has been further refined with touch pads as well although they need to be angled rather than flat for ease of selection.

Once the driving position is sorted and the controls mastered the 208 is driving pleasure. There is a tremendous feel good factor right through the cabin both with the sparkling design features and premium quality materials while the driver's interchangeable 3D head up display has to be seen to be believed

It is good to drive as well and I like the small steering wheel. It harks back to the sixties and seventies when a steering wheel did nothing more than steer, so us young bucks in our bangers swapped the ungainly big one for the tiny rally styles of the day in the misguided hope you would drive faster. How silly we were.

Even though the Peugeot supermini's reputation was built on the handling prowess of the sublime 205GTI the latest version airs more on the side of comfort but can still be thrown around with confidence and in many ways is the ideal compromise.

There is a GT badge on the back of my test car though this was a long way from its speed machine ancestor. Times have changed, now it is all about smaller engines giving a lot from a little with as few nasty carbon emissions as possible and Peugeot has been leading the charge.

This three-cylinder 1.2 petrol is no flyer compared to some hybrid rivals, and while it won't give GT performance of old it meets the demands of modern day driving. That said the week's average of 47mpg with a best of 52mpg was down on what I was expecting.

Cabin space is no better than average so if your family has lanky youngsters get them in the back for a trial before signing on the dotted line. All the seats are well shaped and comfortable.

On price the 208 is at the top end of its class but is well equipped right from entry level with many safety features, and the engine line up is strong. My choice would be this 101bhp petrol even though the diesel will give better economy.

So a desirable car although I would be inclined to move up to the 2008 crossover for the extra space.

Need to know

208 GT Line 8sp auto

£22,100 (range starts £17,155)

1.2 litre; 101bhp

0-62mph 10.8secs; 117mph

50.3mpg combined

99g/km. 1st tax £130

Insurance group 20

Boot: 311 litres

 

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Exclusive: Llan woman one of first to receive new Covid jab

* llanblogger exclusive 


* 91-year-old Mair Evans receives the vaccination from Dr Alec Jones at Llangollen Health Centre.

A 91-year-old Llangollen woman became one of the first in her age-group to receive the new Oxford, AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this afternoon (Tuesday).

Earlier in the day Llangollen Health Centre was appointed by the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board as one of only four pilot GP practice vaccination centres in North Wales and immediately began notifying people in the over-80s group that they could come in for the Covid-beating jab just after 4pm.

And first in line for the revolutionary vaccination was Mrs Mair Evans who rolled up her sleeve to receive it from practice member Dr Alec Jones.

Mrs Evans said: “It was all very sudden and when I got up this morning I wasn’t expecting to be getting the injection. However, it’s a good feeling to know that I am one of the first.”

Practice manager Tessa Orton-Jones said: “It’s a great honour for us to be chosen as one of just four pilot centres in the whole of North Wales.

“We’ve made appointments for 48 people in the over-80s age-group to come in to the centre for vaccination today and will continue from here.

“In the practice area we have 5,000 people in the age-groups who will be receiving the vaccination as a priority.

“As one of the pilot centres the health board will obviously be observing how this process goes in a GP practice like ours.”  

County invites feedback on active travel schemes


* Wider pavements installed in Castle Street, 
Llangollen as part of the scheme.

Residents are being asked to share their views on temporary active travel schemes in Llangollen, Ruthin and Rhyl.

Work is underway on a trial of town centre improvements after Denbighshire County Council was successful in its bid for Welsh Government funding.

The funding, part of the Local Sustainable Transport COVID Response Fund 2020-21, is being used to introduce improvements that facilitate social distancing and make it easier for people to travel actively within town centres.

Work to install the temporary schemes in Llangollen, Ruthin and Rhyl has now been completed and the Council is beginning to monitor their effect and asking residents for feedback.

Councillor Brian Jones, the Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “These temporary schemes aim to support social distancing and it is vital we ensure our residents feel safe to visit our towns so they can accesses services and local businesses.

“The scheme will also encourage active travel around the centres of Llangollen, Ruthin and Rhyl. Encouraging active travel helps reduce car journeys, improves air quality and offers safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists as well as providing health and well-being benefits.

“The measures also allow for some businesses to be able to move all or part of their business activity to outside areas. When circumstances allow, we hope these measures will encourage people to support their local businesses and to shop and spend time locally. Collecting feedback from residents, visitors and businesses to each of the three towns will be vital in helping to understand what the temporary schemes mean for people.

“We plan to monitor feedback in blocks of approximately 6-8 weeks throughout the trial period. This will allow us to review and report back to communities regularly on what’s been said, as well as provide us with an opportunity to update on any adjustments being made to the schemes, should these prove necessary.”

In addition to the online surveys, those who responded to a consultation on the proposals in July and provided their contact details, will be written to.

Local residents and businesses in streets where the temporary schemes have been installed will be sent a newsletter by mail early in January 2021, and signage will also be installed early in the new year on location at the temporary schemes to promote the opportunity to provide feedback so that passers-by are aware they can have their say also.

The Council will also accept feedback in writing to: The Active Travel Team, Denbighshire County Council, Caledfryn, Denbigh, LL16 3RJ.

* Further information and feedback surveys are available at https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/ and the first round of feedback ends on January 31, 2021.